“Nostalgic PC Engine Game: ‘Pro Tennis World Court’ Celebrates its 35th Anniversary”
Namco’s renowned “Family” sports game series, which includes the famous “Professional Baseball Family Stadium” for NES, is not only known for that title, but also for its collection of extraordinary games. Among these gems is “Family Tennis”, a Famicom title that is considered a masterpiece in the realm of tennis games. On August 11, 1988, exactly thirty-five years ago, the PC Engine game “Pro Tennis World Court” was released, serving as a remarkable port of this beloved game and solidifying its status as a groundbreaking creation.
Featuring Enhanced Competition: The Power of “Tennis Pro World Court”
Following in the footsteps of Nintendo’s “Tennis,” “Family Tennis” hit the market on December 11, 1987. This tennis game, inspired by real players and adopting a slightly deformed character design reminiscent of “Famista,” offered an authentic gameplay experience. It provided numerous modes for solo play, including tournaments and world tours. However, the true essence of the game lay in its fierce multiplayer battles. Fond memories of switching characters, changing courts, and endlessly challenging friends come rushing back. Perhaps its slightly shorter duration compared to “Famista” was one of the reasons why it captivated players for hours on end.
An Upgrade for Competition: “Pro Tennis World Court”
“Pro Tennis World Court” can be seen as an upgraded version of “Family Tennis” specifically tailored for the PC Engine. Although it eliminates the world tour mode, it emphasizes competition by allowing up to four players to engage in adrenaline-fueled doubles matches using the multi-tap feature. The roster of playable characters has increased from 16 to 18, each with their own distinctive traits, adding excitement to the battles. With graphics that surpass those of its predecessor, “Family Tennis,” the game offers enhanced visual enjoyment alongside an intensified sense of competition.
An Unexpected Twist: Battle Transformed into a Tennis Game
However, the game’s impact and charm extend beyond its competitive elements, thanks to its unique “quest mode.” Set in the tennis-loving kingdom of Ohanahan, a malevolent tennis demon takes control over the populace by constructing a membership tennis court. The player embarks on a journey to defeat this wicked adversary, and the storyline takes inspiration from Enix’s classic “Dragon Quest III.”
Every battle encountered in the quest becomes a tennis match, embodying an unprecedented concept. Regardless of whether it’s a skirmish against minor enemies or a boss fight, victory or defeat in these games determines the overall progress. In a traditional RPG, accumulating experience points and leveling up are crucial, along with earning money. However, in “Pro Tennis World Court,” victory is the sole means of acquiring funds. Surprisingly, this money plays a pivotal role in advancing through the game.
Gear Up for Success: The Role of Tennis Equipment
The significance of money lies in the player’s ability to purchase and equip tennis gear, including rackets and high-quality shoes. Starting with basic equipment, the player’s characters remain relatively weak, struggling even against minor foes. Therefore, improving skill and upgrading character equipment becomes essential for clearing the game. Interestingly, characters in the quest mode, endowed with the most powerful equipment, surpass any other playable characters in singles or doubles matches, leading to exciting gameplay dynamics.
A Playful RPG Experience: Unusual Conversations and Shapeshifting Courts
Interactions with enemies and townspeople within the game exhibit a lighthearted and entertaining quality, making “Pro Tennis World Court” a delightfully unique RPG experience. The game features a fascinating gimmick where the court transforms into glass or clay, depending on the field encountered. Boss battles consist of thrilling one-set matches, exceeding the level of excitement typically associated with conventional RPGs.
An Unconventional RPG: “World Court” Unveils Endless Possibilities
Undeniably, “Pro Tennis World Court” stands as an exceptional tennis game. However, its innovative incorporation of a quest mode undoubtedly sets this title apart. In an era when RPGs predominantly focused on sword and magic fantasies, the audacity to explore new territory by adapting any genre into an RPG format is truly commendable.
Subsequent games, such as “Final Lap Twin” for the PC Engine, introduced a quest mode featuring mini 4WD racing instead of conventional automobile races, and “LaSalle Ishii’s Child’s Quest,” a game with a strong emphasis on nurturing idol-like characters. These games owe their lineage to the quest mode of “World Court.” We highly recommend that you seize any opportunity to experience this unparalleled RPG concept.
In celebration of its 35th anniversary, “Pro Tennis World Court” remains a testament to the infinite possibilities that can arise when refreshing and unconventional ideas are infused into the gaming landscape.
“Pro Tennis World Court” PC Engine game released on August 11, 1988 (Image provided by the author)
Namco’s NES sports series with the name “Family” is famous for “Professional Baseball Family Stadium”, but other titles are also full of masterpieces. One of them, “Family Tennis”, is a title that can be cited as a masterpiece of tennis games for the Famicom. Thirty-five years ago, on August 11, 1988, the PC engine game “Pro Tennis World Court” was released as a port of the game. It was a mysterious work that can be said to be a revolutionary child.
■ “Tennis Pro World Court” powered for competition
“Family Tennis” was released on December 11, 1987 as a tennis game following Nintendo’s “Tennis”. The characters are slightly deformed with the motif of real players following “Famista”, but as a game it is quite authentic. There are many modes where you can play alone, such as tournaments and world tours, but the real value of these modes is competitive play. I have vivid memories of changing characters, changing courts, and having fun playing against my friends over and over again. It was one game shorter than “Famista”, which is perhaps one of the reasons why I played so much.
“World Court of Tennis Pro”
“Pro Tennis World Court” is an upgraded version of “Family Tennis” ported to the PC engine.
Although the world tour has been removed, it is geared more towards competition, such as doubles matches with up to four players using multi-tap. The number of characters that can be used has increased from 16 to 18, and you can enjoy a gameplay that emphasizes the individuality of each player, making the battle more interesting. In addition, the graphics, which have become more vivid than “Family Tennis”, seem to boost the enjoyment of the game, and it goes without saying that the competition has become even more exciting.
“World Court of Tennis Pro”
■ Battle is a tennis game!? Laughter and adventure? Full quest mode o
However, there was more impact and fun than that, but it is “quest mode”. Tennis Kingdom, Ohanahan, where tennis lovers gather. However, a tennis devil appeared there, built a membership tennis court and ruled over the people. The story is about going on a journey to defeat the demon king, and is based on “Dragon Quest III” (Enix).
Like Drake? Map screen from “World Court Tennis Pro”
After all, every battle is a tennis match. An unprecedented system where the outcome of the game is winning or losing whether it’s a Zako fight or a boss fight. In a typical RPG, you need to earn experience points, level up, and earn money, but in this work, you can only get money by winning battles. However, this money is an important point in advancing the game.
“World Court of Tennis Pro”
■Does tennis equipment decide everything? Buy equipment and power up!
The reason why money is important is that the player becomes stronger and stronger by buying and equipping tennis equipment such as rackets and good shoes.
Players with starting equipment are really weak, and even skilled players will inevitably struggle against small enemies. In other words, in order to clear it, the player’s skill needs to be improved after strengthening the character equipment. By the way, characters in quest mode with the strongest equipment will become stronger than any player that can be used in singles or doubles. “It was enough to interfere with the play.
“World Court of Tennis Pro”
Conversations with the enemies that appear in the field and the townspeople are a little silly, but it’s a fun RPG, and there’s also a gimmick where the court turns into glass or clay depending on the field you encounter it with the enemy, Boss battles are one set games, and there are many people who say that they are more enthusiastic than ordinary RPGs.
“World Court of Tennis Pro”
■ Everything can be turned into an RPG! “World Court” showed us that possibility
It goes without saying that “World Court” is a great tennis game, but the quest method in this work was an innovative idea. At a time when RPGs were usually about sword and magic fantasy, I still think it’s amazing that you introduced the idea that any genre can be turned into an RPG”.
After that, “Final Lap Twin”, which was also released on the PC engine, had a quest mode where you could grab the top with a chibi 4WD instead of a mini 4WD, and “LaSalle Ishii’s Child’s Quest”, which cultivates a top – notch idols An RPG that has drawn a line is for sale. The quest mode of “World Court” can be said to be the predecessor. By all means, if you get a chance to play, enjoy the RPG with the unprecedented idea.
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